Purplish Copper Butterfly

The butterfly members of this Order of insects include the popular and usually colorful species. Butterfly groups include monarchs, satyrs, dagerwings, leaf-wings, owls, buckeyes, admirals, checkerspots, crecents, fritillaries, heliconids, riodinids, blues, hairstreaks, coppers, whites, orange-tips, sulphurs and swallowtails.

The Purplish Copper is a hardy butterfly, visible when most other species are absent. This female was trying to warm up her flight muscles during the cool high desert morning in the California Owens Valley. You can frequently find this butterfly in wet mountain meadows and if you look harder, you might find the bright green and yellow striped caterpillar. Butterflies are easily the most appreciated of all insects because of their beautiful design, coloration, and harmless nature.